Patricia Taggart
Patricia Louise Randig Taggart, an 87-year-old, lifetime resident of Butler, passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
She was born Jan. 23, 1934, the daughter of Paul Charles Randig and Josephine Pearl Easley Randig (Pearl).
Patricia was the younger sister of Edwin Paul Randig of Tamaqua, Pa., and older sister to Jane Randig Connell (deceased) of Butler, Mary Ellen Randig Edinger of Zelienople, Joseph Randig of Butler, Ric Randig of Warwick, N.Y., and Martha Randig Simm of Chicora.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Church in Butler, where she also attended St. Peter Catholic School.
In the early years of her life, the Randig family resided in the Graham Terrace neighborhood, where they raised chickens and sold eggs to the surrounding areas.
While living with her family on Oak Street in her teenage years, Patricia was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She marched down Butler's Main Street in numerous parades. Also, during her adolescent years, she was a synchronized swimmer at the Butler Memorial Park Pool during two summer programs, and was also a member of the YMCA.
It was at the YMCA during a life saving class, she met that “cute guy,” Gilbert Milton Taggart. Immediately smitten with each other, they were married on Feb. 23, 1951, and remained devoted to each other for 60 years. Sadly, the love of her life and partner in everything preceded her in death, passing away on March 3, 2011.
During her 60 married years with Gilbert Taggart at Patterson Avenue, they raised six children, Catherine Kennedy (Larry, deceased) of Florida, Jeffrey Taggart (Beth) of Virginia, Susan Wolf (Terry) of Arizona, Cindy Dituro (Michael) of West Sunbury, Joan Davenport (David) of Butler, and Scott Taggart (Kris) of Butler.
In the 1950s, she was a member of several card clubs, and enjoyed hosting those gatherings. Later, she was a member of the “Saturday Night Swingers” bowling team, where she maintained a solid bowling average of 140.
Patricia may have served you a soft custard cone when she worked at Godot's on Freeport Road. She may have also given you your lunch as a cafeteria lady during the late 1960s through the 1970s at the Butler Senior High School. Lastly, Patricia worked at Brose's Superette and stuffed many of the sausages you may have purchased.
Patricia delighted in being a homemaker, and meeting every challenge with witty humor, tender loving care, wisdom, pride and grace.
She taught herself to sew with her Singer machine. Patricia enjoyed making many dresses, skirts and culottes for her daughters. In her later years, Patricia learned quilting and needlepoint. She gifted family members with beautiful quilts, wall hangings, and other “made with love” crafts.
She was never a stranger to anyone, always had a kind word, and always thought of everyone before thinking of herself. With each passing year, she would get a new calendar and fill in each month with of the birthdays, anniversaries and such, ensuring timely delivery of cards filled with a thoughtful message. Included in a handwritten note was a treat. Her cursive handwriting was exquisite.
She enjoyed attending many Pirates games with her late husband, and cheering for them and the Steelers. Patricia also enjoyed sporting events and dance recitals of her children, grandchildren, and in recent years, her great-grandchildren. In her later years, she made it back to the YMCA, attending water aerobics classes for over six years.
We say goodbye to Patricia Taggart, a daughter, sister, wife, friend, mother, great-grandmother, aunt, and so much more, with a heavy heart.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert M. Taggart; one sister, Jane Connell; a stepgrandson, Brandon Wolf; and a son-in-law, Larry Kennedy.
She is survived by her six children; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Patricia was steadfast, living her life with humility and grace. We will miss her love, her laughter, her joy, and of course her apple dumplings. She made the best apple dumplings.
TAGGART — Friends of Patricia Louise Randig Taggart, who died Tuesday, June 29, 2021, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will take place in Greenlawn Burial Estates.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
